Microsoft unveiled Surface Pro 3 at an event in New York yesterday. This is the company’s third attempt at pushing forward its tablet business. From a look at its specifications, the device has made significant improvements over its 6-month old Surface Pro 2. Let’s take a look at how the device fares against the companies’ previous Surface tablets and Apple's iPad Air.

With an aim to remove the conflict between a tablet and a laptop, especially what these devices can do, Microsoft has so far lost $1.2 billion in the Surface tablets. But without a doubt, the new variant looks so much better than its previous iterations. But just how good is it? Also, at the event, Microsoft took several jibes at Apple's iPad. "96% of people who own an iPad also own a laptop", the company quoted.

The 12-inch Surface Pro 3 is faster than the Surface Pro 2, and features a multi-position kickstand. The device features a 2160x1440 display, with a 3x2 aspect ration screen. The battery life on the device is said to be 20% better than the Surface Pro 2, offering up to nine hours of life. The device is also 800g in weight and 9.1mm thin (1.76 pounds and is 0.36 inches thin), making it lighter even though the device is bigger. Microsoft even compared the weight of the Surface Pro 3 with a Macbook during the press event on May 20th, only to see the Surface Pro 3 clearly defeat the Macbook.

As you will see in the spec sheet below, the Surface Pro 3 has some direct competition with the iPad Air - even though the device is supposed to be in direct competition with the Macbook. The Macbook Air, on the other hand, lacks in comparison to the Surface Pro 3. Check out the specs below: